KIT: Italeri 1/72 German Guns Set
KIT #: 7026
PRICE: $11.00 MSRP
DECALS: You're kidding, right?
REVIEWER: Scott Van Aken
NOTES: ex-ESCI Molds

HISTORY

If you want to have a war, you have to have guns. It is just part of the deal. In this set, you have three of the more popular guns used by the German army during the 1939-445 war. The 75mm Pak 40, the 37mm Pak 37 and the quad 20mm anti-aircraft  gun. All three of these weapons saw extensive service on all the fronts where the German arm fought.

THE KIT

I'm going to make an assumption that these are ex-ESCI molds. It just makes sense as Italeri has access to them all and they are still basically nice kits. Another give away is that all the detailing is raised and the other side of most parts have huge ejector pin marks. Enough to discourage some from attempting to build any of these, they are that prominent. The mold lines are also a bit large, requiring some heavy clean-up prior to construction.

There are basically three sprues, each one with a different gun. The largest of the three is for the 75mm Pak 40. The main gun is one large piece and you build the carriage around it. This comes with three figures.

The Pak 37 sprue is about half the size and comes with two figures, both of which are also provided with the Pak 40 sprue.

The final sprue is for the quad 20mm. From the looks of things, this one can be mounted of the trailer. There are three figures with this one.

I should also point out that the sprues have some sink areas on the thicker parts. Like I said, not exactly the easiest to prep prior to building.

instructions are standard Italeri, but this time the construction sequences are by individual gun. These are painted in Panzer Grey, though if you wish to show them in other theaters, then the other shades would be applicable. No decals as none are needed.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a set that has sold pretty well from what I can gather from their quick disappearance from store shelves. These types of things are always popular with those who like small dioramas and in 1/72, you can have a nice 'pocket scene' using one of these guns and the figures provided.

March 2006

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